English women like Sarah Harrison are part of this segment. Her first purchase was inspired by a painful split with her boyfriend.
"I had thought we were going to get married," said Harrison, 30. "When we didn't, I thought `sod it, I don't need some guy to buy me diamonds, I'll just buy them myself."
Harrison spent over US$3,000 on a ring, cross and earrings from British entrepreneur Gracia Amico, who sells directly to women at fairs and through the Internet (www.graciaamico.co.uk) .
"It was a lot of money at the time, but I wouldn't have cared if it was twice that. It was such a liberating, uplifting experience. Now I'll never have to wait again. Now I'm looking for a nice bracelet."
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